Read Florida’s New Law Making Remedial College Courses Voluntary
Sarah Gonzalez / StateImpact Florida
Students in a remedial class at Miami-Dade College.
Many students who enroll in Florida community colleges will no longer have to take remedial reading, writing and math courses starting this spring.
That’s because Florida lawmakers approved a law (SB 1720) which makes the courses and placement test voluntary for many students. Remedial courses force students to pay for refresher classes before starting on their degree. The classes do not count toward a student’s degree.
Students who entered high school in the past decade and earned Florida’s standards diploma no longer have to take the state’s college placement exam. Likewise, students who earn target scores on the SAT, ACT or the FCAT can use those scores to prove they do not need remedial courses.
Active duty military members are also exempt from having to take the placement exam and remedial courses.
However, while not required, state colleges are still recommending students take the placement exam and take remedial classes, if needed.
After the jump, read the new law, the State Board of Education rule implementing the law and the legislative analysis of SB 1720. And click here to read our series on remedial education, 13th Grade.
